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Report: Arizona's Scooby Wright III could return for UCLA game

Injured Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III, one of the top defensive players in college football, underwent surgery for a lateral meniscus tear and could return to the field in time for the Wildcats' game against UCLA on Sept. 26, according to a report.



"It was better than everyone thought," a Sports Illustrated source said.

Wright injured his knee Thursday night in Arizona's season-opening win over Texas-San Antonio. If Wright returns for the UCLA game, which is the Wildcats' Pac-12 opener, he'll miss games against Nevada and Northern Arizona.

NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein rated Wright the No. 3 linebacker in college football. Wright was also the No. 6-rated player in the #CFBTop20 countdown.

Wright (6-1, 246) made 29 tackles for loss last season and was a key reason Arizona reached the Pac-12 Championship Game. As a junior, he could enter the 2016 NFL Draft if he skips his senior year of college. Wright won the Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik Awards last year as the nation's top defender.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread*.